Charter court files complaint against red shirts

The Constitutional Court yesterday filed a police complaint against the four red shirts who have been leading the rally outside the court complex, accusing them of defamation and inciting unrest.

Panya Udchachon, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Constitutional Court, filed the complaint at the Crime Suppression Division asking that action be taken against Pongpisit Pongsena, Thanachai Sihin, Mongkol Nongbualamphu and Sornrak Malaithong.

Panya also provided a recording of the rally as evidence.

The complaint accused the four of violating Article 136 of the Penal Code in the speeches they delivered in front of some 200 red-shirt demonstrators. The group has been rallying since Monday to demand that all nine judges step down after the court agreed to review whether amendments to the charter were Constitutional or not.

The complaint also said that the four group leaders referred to the judges' work in a manner that affected their reputation, adding that the accused incited the crowd to hate the court and cause disturbance.

In a related development, Democrat party-list MP Watchara Phetthong said he had written to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra asking her to provide 24-hour protection for the judges. He said the protection was necessary because the protesters threatened to harm the judges and burn down the courts.

Watchara also alleged that red-shirt TV stations and community radio was being used to incite hatred toward the Constitutional Court judges.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmeechai said more than 100 coalition MPs have signed a petition seeking to impeach three Constitutional Court judges who agreed to put the charter amendments through judicial review.

Samart said the impeachment motion would be submitted to the Senate if the Constitutional Court insisted on going ahead with the review of the charter amendments.

Separately, an open letter has been drafted and signed by 312 MPs and senators rejecting the court's authority over the amendments. The letter is awaiting approval from Pheu Thai MPs. Samart said the letter insists that Parliament has the power to amend the charter and that the judiciary cannot interfere in the work of the legislative branch.

Latest stories in this category

• Charter court files complaint against red shirts


• The Constitutional Court yesterday filed a police..


• Pheu Thai to hold 10 rallies to seek public..


• Another pair of yellow shirts indicted over 2008..

We Recommend

• No tattoos for Obama daughters - or else!


• Washington - The first daughters might face an..


• Former Nation reporter found dead in her flat


• L'Oreal claims leadership of Thailand's skincare..

Comments conditions

Users are solely responsible for their comments.We reserve the right to remove any comment and revoke posting rights for any reason withou prior notice.

Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/04/27/charter-court-files-complaint-against-red-shirts/